chuck hagel, president obama's pick to run the pentagon, will be in limbo a little while longer. attempts to break a republican fiphillfilibuster failed in the. hagel's confirmation will have to wait until after congress returns from a ten-day recess. democrats accuse gop senators of putting politics before national security. dana bash on the setback for the obama administration. >> on this vote, the yea are 58, nays 40. the motion is not agreed to. >> reporter: chuck hagel fell short of the 60 votes needed to be defense secretary. >> not a secretary in the history of defense has been filibustered. never ever. >> reporter: some say hagual e hagel -- >> we have a responsibility to consider the nominee. a number of the republican senators have questions. >> reporter: but democrats see it another way. that republicans are dragging their feet on hagel in order to look for more information to bring him down. let's not hide behind a filibuster. let's have the courage, vote yes or vote no. don't hide behind parliamentary tricks. >> reporter: the white house knew from day one hagel's con